Learn More: To learn more information about the NYIC VISTA program and host site selection process, please click on the hyperlinked topics below or scroll down this webpage with your cursor. If you have any questions, please contact Senior Manager of Membership and Capacity Kiwi Grady at [email protected] or (212) 627-2227, ext 245.

1. Overview of the NYIC Vista Program

NYIC VISTAs are AmeriCorps VISTAs who - through the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) - engage in full-time paraprofessional service for a year at a host organization, where they work on capacity-building projects in support of the host's immigrant-focused anti-poverty services.

Capacity-building projects that NYIC VISTAs can work on include:

community outreach

communications

fundraising

program management

volunteer management

NYIC VISTAs are not allowed to do the following through their positions:

The NYIC supports organizations that are hosting NYIC VISTAs with:

recruiting NYIC VISTAs for service (host sites will be given an opportunity to interview and approve NYIC VISTAs prior to their placement);

orientation for hosting/supervising a NYIC VISTA;

ongoing NYIC staff support and resources.

It is anticipated that most 2019 - 2020 NYIC VISTAs will serve between September 2019 and September 2020.

2. Cost of Hosting a NYIC Vista

Organizations who host NYIC VISTAs pay a host site fee to the NYIC. The fee is determined by the host site's annual budget.

Organization's Annual Budget

Host Site Fee

$500,000 or higher

$10,000

Under $500,000

$6,000

Organizations with very low financial resources (a budget of $250,000 or less) can request a host site fee reduction through the host site application.

Host sites are also expected to pay for any service-related travel (noncommuting) that they ask their NYIC VISTA to undertake.

3. Criteria for Hosting a NYIC Vista

Organizations that are applying to host a NYIC VISTA must:

Have active NYIC Membership (or have at least submitted a 2019 NYIC Membership renewal/application by February 21);

have 501(c)3 nonprofit status;

be based in New York State;

have the capacity to engage an NYIC VISTA in capacity-building projects in support of immigrant anti-poverty programs/services;

be able to provide an NYIC VISTA with a direct staff supervisor and a standard office work station;

be able to support an NYIC VISTA in submitting monthly reports to the NYIC.

All NYIC VISTA Host applications will be primarily assessed on the following criteria:

applicant has active NYIC Membership;

applicant has adequately described how the NYIC VISTA's work on community outreach, communications, fundraising, program management and/or volunteer management projects can support the organization in developing capacity around immigrant anti-poverty services;

applicant has created a plan to ensure that the capacity built by an NYIC VISTA is sustainable past the NYIC VISTA's term of service;

applicant has identified how it can support an NYIC VISTA in having a positive, productive and educational experience at its office;

applicant has created attainable performance measures for an NYIC VISTA's work on capacity building and for the anti-poverty programs/services that the capacity building work would support.

The following factors will also be considered during the decision-making process in an attempt to place many of the NYIC VISTAs at organizations serving underserved regions and immigrant communities within New York State.

Geographic areas served

Immigrant communities served

All proposals to host a NYIC AmeriCorps VISTA will be evaluated by a committee comprised of NYIC staff, AmeriCorps members, Board Members and Member organization representatives. The NYIC will issue preliminary decisions on proposals by early March. Final decisions will be made by CNCS and will be communicated out by the NYIC in April.

4. Upcoming Info Sessions on the NYIC VISTA Host Site Application

The NYIC will be offering a series of webinars on the NYIC VISTA Host Site Application during February. Participating in one of these webinars is strongly recommended for any applicant who is new to the NYIC VISTA program and/or the NYIC VISTA Host Site Application.